Operations are mostly normal at Kansas City International Airport (MCI), despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. KC Mayor Quinton Lucas told Missourinet one reason for that is the airport does not use federal employees at its security checkpoints.
“We do not have Transportation Security Administration (TSA) folks. Instead, we have contractors. They are continuing to get paid,” Lucas said. “It continues to be something I think that is very important for us.”
Lucas said MCI’s biggest challenge is shutdown-related flight delays.
“Flight delays in Chicago and Los Angeles and San Francisco and Dallas mean that there will be flight delays in Kansas City,” he said. “I join many Missourians, including our senior United States senator, in saying that we need to get this figured out.”
Lucas added that there could be even more shutdown-related delays this weekend.
“You know, November 1st presents another date where we might see a good amount of stacking,” he said. “Other concerns at issue – flights that are starting to stack up because you’re getting air traffic delays where it’s going to mean longer lines for a lot of folks who are flying in the United States. And ultimately, it’s going to be a pain for Kansas Citians who have to sit in the waiting area an extra hour.”
Several airports across the country are experiencing staffing shortages as a result of the shutdown. But Lucas said all of KC International Airport’s air traffic controllers and customs workers are on the job, although they’re working without pay.
“You know, at a certain point we’re playing roulette and we are in this moment where we’re saying, ‘you know, take your chances, federal workers.’ It’s just not right,” he said. “So, while we have not heard of those negative impacts at KCI yet, but it doesn’t mean they don’t come to us in the future.”
Meanwhile, the city’s aviation department said in a press release that it’s providing free lunch to federal employees at the airport this week.
Note: Kansas City International Airport’s IATA airport code is MCI, because the airport was originally named “Mid-Continent International Airport.”
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